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PADLOOK.

No. 494,340. I IPatented Mar. 28, 1893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANZ MEINKE, OF CURLIN, GERMAN Y.

PADLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 494,340, dated March 28, 1893.

Application filed September 3, 1892. Serial No. 445,026. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANZ MEINKE, of Corlin, in Pomerania, in the Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has for its object certain improvements in looks and in the keys to be used in connection therewith, and is particularly applicable in cases where a number of similar locks (but provided with separate keys) are in use, and where it may be desirable to have a master-key which shall be capable of looking and unlocking the whole.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated my invention applied to a pad-lock and key, but I would have it understood that my improvements are also applicable to other forms of locks, such as safe locks, trunk locks and the like.

With reference to the drawings: Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a key constructed according to my invention. Fig. 4 illustrates two forms of key-bit, that on the left hand side of the figure being for ordinary use, and that on the right hand side being the bit of a masterkey. Fig. 5 illustrates the key-pin of my improved lock. Figs. 6 and 7 represent a padlock constructed according my invention in its unlocked and locked positions respectively, one side of the case being removed to show the parts contained within the same. Fig. 8 is a section on line x-m Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a section on line y y Fig. 7. Fig. 10 illustrates the introduction of the key into the lock. Figs. 11 and 12 are details of parts of the lock mechanism.

Upon referring to the drawings it will be seen that the key A consists mainly of the tubular body or pipe at provided with a slot in which is accommodated the bit 0 of the key. The bit 0 is pivoted at one end to the keypipe, a springe being provided to press it outwardly against the stop f. The free end of the bit 0 is provided on its outward side with a projection c and on its inward side with the projections d. These projections 01 and the spaces between them correspond, when the key is turned in the lock, with the wards k and the spaces between them of the key-pin h secured in the lock casing as will be understood. A slot i is formed in the corrugated key-pin or post h for the reception of the bit 0 on the insertion of the key into the lock and its withdrawal therefrom.

Inside the lock and arranged concentrically with the pin it is the hollow boss B, the neck 'of which projects through and is free to revolve in the side of the lock-case, such neck being provided with an outer plate or flange which forms the key-hole escutcheon. On

the periphery of the boss B there is formed a shoulder 9 whose function it is to engage with and shoot the bolt of the-lock, such bolt and accessory parts being of the usual formation as shown. On the inner surface of the hollow boss B there is provided a recess n for the reception of the projection c of the bit 0.

Upon introducing the key A into the lock the piece 0 comes into contact with the keyhole escutcheon and is forced inwardly as is shown in Fig. 10, the bit 0 being received by the groove 2' of the pin h. As soon as the key A has arrived in the correct position for operating the lock the bit 0 is forced out of the slot i by the spring e and the projection c engages with the recess n of the boss B. The projections d of the bit care now in line with the grooves or corrugations formed in the post h, so that the key can be turned in the lock, and as the projection c is now lying in the recess n it follows that upon turning the key either to the right or left hand the boss B will be rotated,and as the shouldergengages with the bolt of the lock, the latter will be locked and unlocked respectively, as will be understood.

As a means of rendering my improved look more secure against picking or tampering, the device shown in Fig. 12 isprovided. This consists in forming a hole m in the end plate of the boss B into which takes the pin b of the key A when the key is inserted into the lock. Unless the hole m is thus occupied by the pin b a stop 0 carried by a flat spring I which lies in the path of the hole m as the boss revolves, will engage with it and arrest the boss B. Thusa key to be operative must be provided with the requisite pin 19.

In a set of locks constructed as above described, the grooves and wards upon the key pins it would be arranged differently in each lock, and to provide a master key with which ICO to open the whole it is only necessary to place in the key A a bitsuch as shown on the right hand side of Fig. 4. This bit, it will be seen is devoid of projections d on its inner side, and it is therefore free to revolve round the key-pin h independently of the particular.

wards and grooves which may be formed thereon, the projections c engaging with the boss B as before described.

bit of a key is carried within and is protected by the tubular body a, and is thereforenot exposed to view, whereby it is impossible for the configuration of such bit to be" ascertained from without or for a waxen cast to be taken of it for fraudulent purposes as is possi- 3 ble with the keys now commonly used.

ters Patent, is

1. In a locking mechanism the combination with a lock casing provided with an immovable solid key receiving post having exterior rigid wards of a hollow key having interior 2. In a locking mechanism the combination 1 with a lock casing provided with an immov-f able solid key receiving post having exterior rigid wards of a hollow key having a bit se' cured thereto and extending within 'thehollow portion of the same, said in wardly extending portion of the bit being cut away to permit the same to pass the wards of said key receiving post when the key is rotated upon the same, substantially as described.

3. In a locking mechanism a key having a hollow tubular body provided with an exterior projection to actuate the bolt and on its interiorwi'th a longitudinal projection having ward engaging clefts or recesses whereby the taking of an impression of the ward registering portion of the key is prevented, substantially as described.

' 4. In a locking mechanism a key having a hollow body, said key being provided with a bit pivoted thereto and extending within the hollow of the same, said bit having the portion projecting within the hollow of the key provided with ward engaging clefts or recesses whereby the taking of impressions of the ward registering portion of the bit is j rendered impracticable, substantially as de- It will be seen that by my invention the scribed.

5. In a locking mechanism the combination with the .lock casing provided witha stationary key post .having recessed portions, and a longitudinally extending slot, of a key having a hollow body and a bit pivotally secured therein for engaging the longitudinal slot ofsaid post, said bit having port-ions projecting What I claim, and desire to secure by Let- 3 into said hollow body for engaging the recesses-of said post, substantially as described.

6. Ina locking mechanism the combination with the lock casingprovidedwith a stationary key post having a corrugated surface and revoluble boss, having a recess therein, of .a key having a hollow body provided with a bit having -a:corrugated surface for engaging said -post,-and a projecting portionfor engaging therecess of said boss, substantially as described.

7. In a locking mechanism the combination with the lock having a-corrugated key post, :a-revoluble boss providedwith an aperture 'and a spring plate having 'a-stop in the path of said aperture, of a key having a hollow body provided with a bit for engaging said @boss having projections extending into said :body for engaging the key post and a projection adapted to fill the aperture of said boss :and prevent the stop from entering the same, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

FRANZ MEINKE.

Witnesses PAUL Frscnnn,

PAUL BRINKMANN. 

